Harley - Bad News

[MurphysMummy]

Hi Sabby

Sorry to hear the diagnosis of your lovely boy
Wishing you all the best of luck.

[Kate H]

Hi Sabby

Sorry to hear your news. Would Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, or Cambridge Vet School be nearer than London? Both of these have specialist SM researchers. Or Geoff Skerritt in Chestergates, just north of Chester?

Don't feel guilty about letting Harley enjoy himself doing agility - I doubt if even Clare Rusbridge herself knows all the possible symptoms of SM, so it is VERY easy to miss them - we've all done it. And you know my Oliver - 10 years old and still tearing around the place, so let's hope medication will help Harley to be the same.

Kate, Oliver and Aled

[anniemac]

I am so sorry to hear about harley. Don't you dare feel guilty at all. I started a post before I even read this about remembering last 4th of july when I got really upset because I did not protect ella and let her have fun. I woud not change it because she enjoyed every minute.

I feel for you and I'm thinking of you

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[anniemac]

I thought you might want to read about Minnie-May who still does agility even with SM. Even if that may not happen in the future, that's up to you to talk about with the neurologist but at least I hope it does not make you feel any blame. You did EXACTLY what you should have.

Thinking of you!

http://pedigreedogsexposed.blogspot....p-too-far.html

[GraciesMom]

Gracie never did agility activities but she also had "the worst case of SM seen in such a young dog" by two neuros. One of them has seen a LOT of MRIs. Even before surgery, just taking meds helped her so much. I can't imagine that agility activities would have made it worse or better, but Harley did have FUN. That is soooo important. Gracie chased frogs, butterflies, rabbits, beetles, etc. and had fun... and once she recovers enough, she will again. She is raring to go now! We are having to hold her back.

I think any of us getting this diagnosis, no matter how severe, is numb or shattered. We do not want our beloved Cavaliers to have this dreaded condition. But... it is what it is. Gracie has a severe case and she is doing so well after surgery that the ONLY times she scratches is when she gets super excited. I see no signs of pain or discomfort at all. We can go on short walks of 15 minutes now and does not scratch once.

But do go ahead and have a good cry... or several of them like I did. I go outside and scream.... I did that too. Then sit down with the neuro and talk about the options for Harley. We are here... and you KNOW we have opinions by the dozens.

[Desrae]

I'm so sorry you guys are having such a time of it. Do not blame yourself at all, doing agility with Harley has been a wonderful thing! If you need to curb or postpone it for a while, then do what you must. Harley is so lucky to have you as his mum! We're thinking of you and praying things will improve, it can only be uphill from here- as my mom says!

[mommytoClaire]

I'm sorry you've received the dreaded news. But I hope you will take everyone's advise and NOT blame yourself in any way.

I know you'll do good by Harley, and hope that he responds to the Meds quickly.

[Sabby]

Well I talked to the vet again last night and I mentioned gabapentin. He said he wants to wait until he receives back the report next week as they also MRI’d his shoulder, leg and neck and also taken fluid out of his shoulder/bone. He is not convinced that Harleys limping is coursed my SM. He wants to see the whole picture. So now I am waiting yet again to find out exactly what’s wrong. I don’t really want them to find anything else as I am just getting my head around SM and it be terrible if Harley would have to cope with an injury on top of SM.

[Sandrac]

Sabby,
I am so sorry about your news. However, do not let it stop you and Harley doing things that you enjoy. One of Minnie's main symptoms was lameness, but once she was settled on the right medication she has not had an episode since last November.

I spoke to Clare in great depth about continuing with agility - although we do not do competitive agility. She said to do whatever Minnie felt like doing and at the end of the day do not wrap her in cotton wool. So we still go to fun agility once a week and Minnie still enjoys doing a couple of rounds over the course.

[Jasper and Holly]

Sorry to hear about your beautiful boy Harley. I always love seeing your beautiful photos. Thinking of you and hope he feels better soon.